10 Ways to Know if Your Ducts Need Cleaning

Good air quality is critical to good health, but that doesn’t apply exclusively to what you breathe outdoors. Considering the National Air Duct Cleaners Association estimates 40 pounds of dust, including allergens and dirt, is created each year in the average six-room home, the air in your home can be polluted as well. And more can be floating around if you have pets, smoke cigarettes or cigars indoors, are in the midst of a home remodeling project, or have any sources of mold or mildew–visible or unseen.

The Role of Ducts in Indoor Air Pollution

When it comes to your heating and cooling system, ducts act as the entry and exit points. Air is pulled through the return ductwork to be heated or cooled and then is pumped back through the supply ductwork back into your home. Air coming through the return passes through a filter, which can help to trap dust, pet hair, and other allergen sources. However, it is not a catch-all system, even when changing regularly at the recommended four to six weeks.

Over time, pollutants can build up on the internal components of your heating and cooling system, including the blower, heat exchanger, and cooling coils.These can increase the dust and dirt passing through your ducts and entering into your home. And since your HVAC circulates the air within the home, the pollutants never escape–that is, without a thorough cleaning.

Time to Clean the Ducts

Whether you or someone you live with has asthma, allergies, or health concerns, or you are just interested in keeping your home as clean and pollutant-free as possible, clearing the indoor air you breathe is important. In addition to good health, keeping a clean heating and cooling system will also help to ensure that it is working properly and as efficiently as possible.

With ductwork hidden behind walls, knowing if they’re dirty isn’t as apparent as other, more visible areas in your home. Eliminate the guesswork, and use these indicators to know when your air quality might not be at its best:

Dust and dirt build up on your supply and return vent covers.

Your home needs to be dusted more often than usual.

A buildup of dirt or dust on the walls or floors surrounding vents covers.

You’ve recently completed a home remodeling project.

An increase in energy bills not caused by a spike in gas or electricity rates.

Your air filters are dirtier during routine changes and/or need to be swapped out more frequently.

The installation of a new furnace or air conditioner.

Temperature is inconsistent throughout your home.

Someone in your home is suffering from increased allergy and/or asthma symptoms beyond the norm for the season.

A look in your furnace compartment shows a buildup of dust and dirt on internal components.

Keeping your home clean, regularly replacing furnace air filters, and wiping down supply and return vents are all routine ways to help keep indoor air quality at its best. However, when it comes to cleaning the ductwork of your heating and cooling system, a professional is recommend. A skilled professional will have the proper tools and training to make sure ducts are cleaned to industry-standards, all without causing harm to your HVAC system.

Air Duct Cleaning from McMahon Services

At McMahon Services & Construction, we also recommend a our complete air duct cleaning services for your home or business after new construction or a remodeling project is complete. On average, a brand new home has 13 gallons of drywall dust, debris, wood chips, etc. in the duct ventilation system.

For technicians at McMahon, the average home takes about three to four hours to clean. You don’t have to leave your home when we are cleaning your duct work. We make sure our equipment doesn’t interrupt your daily activities and we are always mindful of you, your family, and your pets.

As recommended by the NADCA and McMahon Services, we clean all of the following components: